Loving Ipswich couple with same birthday turn 90 together with surprise party
Ipswich couple John and Mary Marjason, who are married, have their birthday on the same day, and both turn 90 today. Picture: ARCHANT - Credit: Archant
A loving Ipswich couple who have been together for more than 60 years celebrated their 90th birthdays today – after the pair were remarkably born on the same day.
Ipswich couple John and Mary Marjason, who are married, have their birthday on the same day, and both turn 90 today. The couple having a joke at their 90th Birthday party. Picture: ARCHANT - Credit: Archant
John and Mary Marjason celebrated entering their ninth decade with a surprise dinner at the Ipswich and Suffolk Club, laid on by more than 20 friends.
The pair, who met at a drinks party in London in December 1955, were shocked to discover they shared the same birthday, with John older by just five hours.
“It was while we were queuing for the Ideal Home Exhibition in 1956 that one of us asked the other when is your birthday, and when we found out we said it couldn’t be – it must have been a mistake,” Mary said.
John and Mary Marjason (seated) receiving their birthday cake from Ipswich and Suffolk Club bar manager Sheila Studd. Picture: GEORGE MCLELLAN - Credit: Archant
Mary was originally from Bedfordshire while John lived in Boston, Lincolnshire. The couple, whose fathers were firm friends, would see each other on weekends, as John was working as a banker in Dunmow during the week.
“I wrote to Mary but we didn’t really see each other, other than at weekends,” John said.
“I invited her to the Ideal Home Exhibition, I proposed on the way back and we were married in September 1956 in Boston.”
The celevbration at the Ipswich and Suffolk Club for John and Mary Marjason, who both turned 90 - the club's vice president Basil Tenwick giving a speech. Picture: GEORGE MCLELLAN - Credit: Archant
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The couple lived in various places including Dunmow, Wisbech and Knebworth before settling in Ipswich in 1968.
John had spent his working life as a banker for Lloyds branches – including those in Nacton Road and Bramford Road – while Mary was a primary school teacher.
The couple had two children – Reg, 58, and Ruth 56, and have five grandchildren, enjoying birthday celebrations with all the family on Saturday.
But members and staff at the Ipswich and Suffolk Club in Northgate Street. Ipswich, laid on the surprise dinner for the couple at lunchtime today, presenting the pair with a card and cake in the company of friends.
“I knew nothing at all,” Mary said.
“They took great delight in opening the door and giving us a shock – they kept that very quiet.”
Snooker-enthusiast John added: “It couldn’t have been better. Our long association with this club has grown, and grown, and grown, and we have met up with beautiful people.
“We do everything together and celebrated our diamond wedding last year.
“We’ll have to wait another 10 years for a do like this!”
